Trail conditions
Banff National Park
Whether you're out for a leisurely hike or a longer adventure, make your trip a safe one by checking the latest conditions.
Important information
Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
Current fire danger
CAUTION! Avalanche danger
You are responsible for your own safety. Check the Avalanche Bulletin for the latest conditions.
Vehicle parking is limited to designated areas only. Roadside parking is prohibited. Signage and monitoring will be used throughout the park to inform the public of parking restrictions and encourage compliance.
Dogs are not allowed on some of the groomed ski trails. Refer to the information below for restrictions. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
Wildlife and you
When you see wildlife, give them space for your safety and their survival. If you’re out on the trails, travel in tight groups of 4 or more, stay alert, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Closures and restrictions
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
For more information, please contact us:
Banff: 403-762-1550
Lake Louise: 403-522-3833
Share your trail pictures
Have you been hiking in the last few days? Share a few pictures with us as well as your impressions. This will help us keep this report accurate for other hikers.
Fire Danger Rating
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banff National Park | Low | 2025-11-15: Not applicable; | Trail details |
Banff Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Recent tracksetting: Jan 9 - Cascade Valley Trail (Lake Minnewanka to Upper Bankhead), (Lake Minnewanka to Cascade River bridge - 6km), (Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek) ; Jan 8 - Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails ; Jan 7 - Healy Creek ; Jan 2 - Goat Creek ;Dec 27 - Spray River West, Spray River East.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Spray River Winter: West Trail | Poor. | 2026-01-14: No dogs allowed; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: East Trail | Poor. | 2026-01-14: No dogs allowed; Single trackset; Trail groomed; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails | Poor. | 2026-01-14: No dogs allowed; Double trackset; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Closed. | 2026-01-14: Trail closed until further notice; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 2026-01-14: Single trackset; Trail groomed; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead | Poor. | 2026-01-14: No dogs allowed; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge | Poor. | 2026-01-14: No dogs allowed; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek | Poor. | 2026-01-14: No dogs allowed; Single trackset and skate-skiing lane; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Goat Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 2026-01-14: No dogs allowed; Single trackset and skate-skiing lane; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 2026-01-14: Snowmobile packed; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Banff Area Winter Walking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Fenland Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 2026-01-14: Cleats recommended; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Marsh Winter Loop | Partially Closed | 2026-01-14: Partially closed; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Cleats recommended; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray Winter Connector | Variable winter conditions. | 2026-01-14: No dogs allowed; Cleats recommended; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 2026-01-14: Cleats recommended; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-01-14: Cleats recommended; Stay on designated trails and viewpoints; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-01-14: Cleats recommended; Stay on trail; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Slippery sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Winter Trail | Partially Closed | 2026-01-14: Detour to trailhead in place.; Partially closed; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Check the important bulletins for more information; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Snow covered; Sections of deep snow; Trekking pole(s) recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 2026-01-14: Cleats recommended; Stay on trail; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; Trekking pole(s) recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Snowshoeing Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 2026-01-14: Cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Winter Trail | Partially Closed | 2026-01-14: Partially closed; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Winter Loop | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-01-14: Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Sections of deep snow; Slippery sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Winter Trail | Closed. | 2026-01-14: Closed until further notice; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-01-14: Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Slippery sections; Sections of deep snow; | Trail details |
Banff Area Fat Biking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Multi-use Winter Trails | Not recommended. | 2026-01-14: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; Trail groomed; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Winter Trail | Not recommended. | 2026-01-14: No dogs allowed; Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; Trail groomed; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Closed. | 2026-01-14: Closed until further notice; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Banff Avenue Winter Trail | Not recommended. | 2026-01-14: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; Trail groomed; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Bench Winter Loop | Partially Closed | 2026-01-14: Partially closed; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; Trail groomed; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Winter Trail | Not recommended. | 2026-01-14: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; Snow covered with variable spring conditions: ice/snow crust/slush/fresh snow ; Sections of deep snow; | Trail details |
Bow Valley Parkway Cross-Country Ski Trails
Recent tracksetting: 9 jan - Baker Creek to Castle Lookout. 3 jan - Castle Lookout to Castle junction. 22 Dec - Castle Junction cross-country ski trail #3 (hostel)
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #1 - Castle Junction to Castle Lookout trailhead | Snow covered. | 2026-01-12: Fresh snow covering track set; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #2 | Snow covered. | 2025-12-15: Tracksetting has not yet begun; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #3 | Snow covered. | 2026-01-12: Fresh snow covering track set; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Protection Mountain Campground to Castle Mountain Lookout | Snow covered. | 2026-01-12: Fresh snow covering track set; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground | Snow covered. | 2026-01-12: Fresh snow covering track set; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Trails
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit Parks Canada - Mountain Safety - Winter Activities.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-01-06: Caution; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-01-04: Caution; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Louise Creek Trail | See comment section | 2026-01-12: Deadfall on trail; Snow covered; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Laggan's Loop | Snow covered. | 2026-01-04: Snowshoes recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Taylor Lake Trail | Snow covered. | 2026-01-04: Snowshoes recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Loop C (#27) | Snow covered. | 2026-01-04: Snowshoes recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; |
Lake Louise Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Recent tracksetting: Jan 14 - Great Divide; Lower Telemark. Jan 13 - Fairview loop, Lake Louise surface, Campground Loop; Upper Tramline, Lower Tramline. Jan 11 - Bow River Loop. Jan 10 - Moraine Lake road. Jan 9 - Lake Louise shoreline. Jan 7 - Peyto. Jan 1 – Upper Telemark.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Moraine Lake Road | Snow covered. | 2026-01-12: Avalanche risk: Beyond the viewpoint the trail crosses large avalanche paths.; When trailhead parking is full, access Moraine Lake Road via Upper Tramline trail and park at Lake Louise parking lot or Great Divide parking lot; No parking on roadways, or highways; No dogs allowed; Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; Fresh snow covering track set; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Fairview Loop | Good. | 2026-01-13: No dogs allowed; Please avoid walking or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Double trackset; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lower Tramline | Good. | 2026-01-13: The Lower Tramline "3B" is single trackset classic from the Bow River parking lot on Sentinel Road; CAUTION! - The Tramline section "3A" (trail between the Lower Tramline and the Bow River bridge on Lake Louise Drive) is steep, narrow, has sharp turns and is not trackset; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Tramline | Good. | 2026-01-13: Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; No dogs allowed; Single trackset; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Loop | Variable conditions. | 2026-01-13: Lake Louise Loop is made up of two separately maintained trails: Lake Louise shoreline and Lake Surface ; Lake surface - good; Lake Louise shoreline - fair; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Upper Telemark | Snow covered. | 2026-01-12: Single trackset; No dogs allowed; Fresh snow covering track set; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Great Divide Trail | Good. | 2026-01-14: Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; No dogs allowed; Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Peyto Trail | Snow covered. | 2026-01-12: Single trackset; No dogs allowed; Fresh snow covering track set; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Telemark | Good. | 2026-01-14: Single trackset; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Campground Loop | Good. | 2026-01-13: Dogs on leash permitted; Please avoid walking or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Snow covered. | 2026-01-12: Dogs on leash permitted; Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Single trackset; Fresh snow covering track set; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone Loop | Trail Closed. | 2025-11-24: Trail closed November 24 - spring 2026 due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Drummond | Trail Closed. | 2025-11-24: Trail closed November 24 - spring 2026 due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Hector | Trail Closed. | 2025-11-24: Trail closed November 24 - spring 2026 due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Merlin | Trail Closed. | 2025-11-24: Trail closed November 24 - spring 2026 due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
Bow Summit Area on Icefields Parkway
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit parksmountainsafety.ca
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Peyto Lake Viewpoint | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2025-12-27: Trekking pole(s) recommended; Sections of deep snow; Snowshoes recommended; Stay on trail; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
- Date modified :